RT-AX86U to RT-AX86U Pro Upgrade?

[LexLuthor]

I have an RT-AX86U that's been working well. I have an RT-AC68U connected as a media bridge connected wirelessly. I'm happy with how everything has been running and do not forsee the need for Wi-Fi 7 anytime soon.

I found a used/working like new RT-AX86U Pro for $100. I would replace the RT-AC68U media bridge with the RT-AX86U (non pro).

Is it worth the upgrade? It doesn't seem like I'd gain anything noticeable other than being able to get to the 3.0.0.6 firmware. Is it possible that Merlin support for the non-pro will be going away soon? If there's a real advantage to being on 3.0.0.6 or support for non-pro is potentially going away soon, I'd probably say the upgrade is worth it.

Thoughts?

 

[Tech9]

You get longer support, new firmware features, identically looking devices and more modern node for RT-AX86U Pro + RT-AX86U AiMesh in case you need it. If all you need is Media Bridge your existing RT-AX86U to RT-AX86U Pro parent can do >2Gbps. I think it is worth the money, $100 is fair price.

 

[LexLuthor]

You get longer support, new firmware features, identically looking devices and more modern node for RT-AX86U Pro + RT-AX86U AiMesh in case you need it. If all you need is Media Bridge your existing RT-AX86U to RT-AX86U Pro parent can do >2Gbps. I think it is worth the money, $100 is fair price.

Thanks for the advice, I will make the purchase. Main reason would be longer support and firmware features as you noted, which is what I expected.

I may look into AiMesh again. I have my ONT downstairs and 1 LAN cable from the ONT to upstairs. Right now, I have the AX86U upstairs wired to the ONT and then the AC68U as a media bridge right next to the ONT to cover downstairs wired connections. I previously had the AX86U downstairs wired to the LAN with the AC68U unstairs as a wired AIMesh node, but it didn't work as well as the AX86U upstairs covering all Wifi. Is there reason to believe that putting the AX86U Pro downstairs with AX86U old as a wired AiMesh node upstairrs will work better? The radios are indentical so it wouldn't matter which router was up or down in that case, right?

Really dredding setting up the router all over again though. Getting the network sharing stuff all right is a big PITA. I assume using the settings file from the AC86U would be a big no-no?

 

[Tech9]

Is there reason to believe that putting the AX86U Pro downstairs with AX86U old as a wired AiMesh node upstairrs will work better?

No. If single router is good enough don't waste your time with AiMesh. It has few advantages and many drawbacks. The compatibility between 3006 firmware main router and 3004 firmware node is also limited. Use your old RT-AX86U as Media Bridge for your wired devices downstairs, dispose the old RT-AC68U.

 

[Justinh]

I assume using the settings file from the AC86U would be a big no-no?

Right. Take some pics of each page of the old one to ease configuring the new one. I also learned to copy/paste certain data and keep in a text file for such events.

 

[bbunge]

Sounds like a good idea if the AX86U Pro does work. Use the AX86U Pro connected to the ONT then Ethernet connect the AX86U as an Aimesh node. Leave the AiMesh settings at default.
I had this setup for a while until I got a second AX86U Pro. My ONT is outside and is connected to the AX86U Pro with CAT 5 cable. The AX86U Pro is on my main floor and the Aimesh AX86U pro is in the basement as I have several WIFI clients down there that I want to have good WIFI. Am currently running an Asus beta firmware on the AX86U Pro's which is working very well.
Tech9 is a skeptic when it comes to the built in features of Asus routers. That is OK for his property. I feel that Asus WIFI 6 routers, and some WIFI 5 routers, do very well for the average consumer. I do encourage folks to use the default settings, mostly, and not change settings. Setting up with the Asus app is also a good way to get a good functional system.
Good luck with the used router!

 

[Tech9]

Use the AX86U Pro connected to the ONT then Ethernet connect the AX86U as an Aimesh node.

Why they need to set AiMesh when the single router upstairs is good enough to cover the Wi-Fi needs?

Tech9 is a skeptic when it comes to the built in features of Asus routers.

AiMesh in this use case is just additional complication for no reason. Read the the information provided.

 

[bennor]

I assume using the settings file from the AC86U would be a big no-no?

Correct. DO NOT import a saved router.cfg file from a different router model that has different hardware and uses a significantly older firmware track (3004.386.x with the RT-AC68U). There are various ways to record the existing information. For example:
Go page by page and screen shot.
Go page by page and print each page to PDF (combine into one large PDF file).
Go page by page and manually write down your changes.

Really what you should do first is perform a hard factory reset on the new (used/"like new") router. For the RT-AX86U Pro hard factory reset steps see this link. Then perform just enough of a manual configuration to get it online and setup the basic WiFi. Check and update the firmware (to either stock Asus or Asus Merlin if needed). Then test that configuration to see if you need to even bother with AiMesh or AP nodes to extend range. Once the new router is confirmed as working properly then move on to making additional changes, one step at a time testing along the way.

 

[jksmurf]

Read the new ASUS Privacy Notice. It's about Account Binding, Config transfer, DDNS, Alexa, IFTTT, Google Assistant, Remote Connection, Notification.

I’m not sure the ASUS Privacy Notice strictly qualifies as irrefutable proof the configs are designed to be transferred between models, even if this has been shown to work.

ASUS FAQ here which details usage of configuration files however, does explicitly state:

The configuration file is only applicable to the same model, e.g. the configuration file exported from ZenWiFi XT9 is only imported to ZenWiFi XT9.

I guess folks can decide for themselves.

 

[Tech9]

I’m not sure the ASUS Privacy Notice strictly qualifies as irrefutable proof the configs are designed to be transferred between models, even if this has been shown to work.

Sorry, my mistake. Not valid for Asuswrt-Merlin. Reset and start over on this firmware. Works on Asuswrt only.

 

[bbunge]

Why they need to set AiMesh when the single router upstairs is good enough to cover the Wi-Fi needs?



AiMesh in this use case is just additional complication for no reason. Read the the information provided.

Your opinion which is not always right for the average consumer. And their circumstance or environment may be different than what you are guessing.

 

[Tech9]

what you are guessing

Read post #3 above again, please:

I have my ONT downstairs and 1 LAN cable from the ONT to upstairs. Right now, I have the AX86U upstairs wired to the ONT and then the AC68U as a media bridge right next to the ONT to cover downstairs wired connections. I previously had the AX86U downstairs wired to the LAN with the AC68U unstairs as a wired AIMesh node, but it didn't work as well as the AX86U upstairs covering all Wifi.

AiMesh is clearly not needed for this use case. What you suggest @bbunge (RT-AX86U Pro at the ONT and RT-AX86U as node upstairs) will only create complications since the 3004 node has limited AiMesh compatibility to 3006 router. This wasn't only discovered by testing, but it's also documented in ASUS FAQ now.

 

[LexLuthor]

Got the new router, reset, installed Merlin and configired it as wireless router and it appears to be working fine.

As far as mirroring the old router setting to the new router, is there a way to connect via wifi to the old router and access the setting on the new router so that I can have side by side windows? I have old router LAN to new router WAN and new router got 192.168.150.133, but I can't the settings page to come up from the LAN. LAN to LAN doesn't work either. I'm sure there's an easy way to do this.

EDIT: Figuired it out. Had to make LAN IP of new router 192.168.50.3 and then connected LAN to LAN. Seems like it won't be too bad to configuire the new one by haivng old settings and new settings up in 2 different windows on the same laptop.

 

[Tech9]

Make sure Custom Scripts you eventually use in 3004 firmware are compatible/needed in 3006 firmware. Copying settings 1:1 may not be the best idea in some specific cases. Use Search for information, all you need to know is available on SNB Forums.

 

[LexLuthor]

Make sure Custom Scripts you eventually use in 3004 firmware are compatible/needed in 3006 firmware. Copying settings 1:1 may not be the best idea in some specific cases. Use Search for information, all you need to know is available on SNB Forums.

I don't have any custom scripts. I was surprised to see AiCloud hasn't been removed from 3006 yet.

 

[bennor]

I was surprised to see AiCloud hasn't been removed from 3006 yet.

It will be. If you use the Alpha or Beta 3006.102.7 firmware then AiCloud has been removed.
Asuswrt-Merlin 3006.102.7 Beta is now available

3006.102.7 (xx-xxx-2026)
- NOTE: AiCloud has been removed from Asuswrt-Merlin due
to its poor security track record. This also includes
cloud syncing features such as Asuswebstorage or
Dropbox syncing with USB folder. Use a VPN if you
need secure remote access to your data.

102.7 Alpha Builds available

3006.102.7 (xx-xxx-2026)
- NOTE: AiCloud has been removed from Asuswrt-Merlin due
to its poor security track record. This also includes
cloud syncing features such as Asuswebstorage or
Dropbox syncing with USB folder. Use a VPN if you
need secure remote access to your data.